Legislator: City Government Must Prioritize Free Education Budget
Reported by Fakhrizal Fakhri | Translated by Nugroho Adibrata
The Jakarta City Council urges the Jakarta government to focus its budget on sectors that have the most direct impact on the community, one of which is education.
We have a big homework, which is to realize free schools
This step is deemed important following financial efficiency in the region due to the reduction of Revenue Sharing Funds (DBH) from the central government.
City Council Commission E Member, M Subki said, all of the Jakarta government's programs are good and beneficial for the residents. Unfortunately, limited fiscal conditions require more careful consideration in determining the scale of priorities.
KJP Try Out Program, Jakarta Facilitates Students to Higher Education"Basically, all programs in the agencies are good and aimed at serving the residents' interests. But, we have to be realistic about the current financial difficulties. So, whether we like it or not, we need to review and select again which ones are truly a priority," he expressed, at City Council building, Tuesday (10/28).
He assessed, one of the sectors that needs main attention is free education for Jakarta residents. This program must be a mutual agreement between the legislative and executive branches as a tangible step to improve access to education for all levels of society.
"We have a big homework, which is to realize free schools. This is important and urgent. Hence, funds from other agencies whose programs can still be postponed should be redirected to the Education Agency," he explained.
Aside that, the Education Implementation Special Committee Chair also emphasized the importance of scholarship support for underprivileged students.
The government has designed a program equivalent to the Regional Education Fund Management Agency (LPDP) intended for low-income families, with full education costs covered by the government. The program is targeted to start next year with an initial quota of 100 scholarship recipients each year.
"LPDP program is very important because its results are directly felt. So, the budget should be directed to programs like this, which have a tangible impact on the people," he said.
